MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



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in Mr. Luman Andrews of Southington, Conn., whose first gifts were 

 received in 1898. Since that time mention has frequently been made 

 of additions from him. To-day as a result of his endeavors our 

 museum may claim the distinction of possessing an herbarium that 

 stands among the finest in Western Massachusetts. Mr. Andrews 

 has collected, prepared, and given 7,648 specimens of plants of this 

 region, and especially collected and catalogued 723 plants growing 

 within the limits of this city. While this completes the bulk of the 

 work needed to make the collection represent our flora, Mr. Andrews 

 is still laboring indefatigably to perfect it. What such accessions 

 provide for the present generation, it is needless to say; their inter- 

 est and value to the changed Springfield of the future may be inferred. 

 With this collection Mr. George S. Lewis's systematically growing 

 department of woods, fibers, seeds, and by-products furnishes equip- 

 ment the importance of which is apparent. 



By two other collectors, Mr. Frank A. Perret and Mr. Waterman 

 S. C. Russell, volcanic and geological collections are keeping pace with 

 the others. Mr. Perret for the Springfield Volcanic Research Society 

 has presented material from Vesuvius and Kilauea this year, and 

 Mr. Russell has added to his previous gifts of specimens from Ice- 

 landic volcanoes, until our volcanic exhibit may well take its place 

 as one of importance and rarity. 



Mr. Russell's gift of choice minerals is enriching another depart- 

 ment and supplying specimens from comparatively inaccessible regions. 

 For illustrative purposes and for study collections to be used in 

 connection with geological courses here are type specimens. 



For another department the same kind of v/ork is being done by 

 Mr. Clarence B. Moore of Philadelphia, an eminent collector of 

 archaeological and ethnological material from aboriginal mounds of 

 the southern states. Ornaments, pottery, and various implements 

 have recently been received, and with previous accessions constitute 

 a collection of exceptional value. The space available for the col- 

 lections in this department is already less than a third of what is 

 actually needed for their display. 



For the colonial section pictures of early Springfield have been 

 given by Mrs. William B. Walker, whose gift also includes other 

 relics. In the department of zoology, Mr. Walter H. Wesson has 

 increased his collection of New England fresh water food and game 

 fishes to an extent that makes it more than ever a distinctive feature 

 of the museum. This exhibit appeals to a part of the public that 

 apparently has not been reached by any other. 



